---
title: "SurrealDB Setup"
description: "Forge uses SurrealDB for durable storage. The Rust server extension connects to SurrealDB on startup and applies Forge schema modules automatically, so setup comes down to running a reachable database and matching the Forge config."
---

## Launch Requirement

Before launching an Arma server or local multiplayer test with Forge enabled:

1. Start SurrealDB and confirm it is listening on the endpoint Forge will use.
2. Copy `arma/server/extension/config.example.toml` to `config.toml` beside
   `forge_server_x64.dll`.
3. Make sure `config.toml` matches the running SurrealDB endpoint, namespace,
   database, username, and password.

Server owners and developers must do this before starting the dedicated server
or hosting a test session. Mission designers and players do not need their own
SurrealDB instance unless they are running the server locally, but the server
they connect to must have SurrealDB running and configured.

If SurrealDB is not running, or if `config.toml` points at the wrong endpoint
or credentials, persistence-backed systems such as actors, bank accounts,
garages, lockers, organizations, phone data, stores, and tasks will not be
ready for normal gameplay.

## Choose the Right Path

### Developer or Server Operator

Use this path if you are building Forge, running a local test server, or
hosting the live Arma server.

Official SurrealDB resources:

- [SurrealDB install page](https://surrealdb.com/install)
- [SurrealDB CLI `start` reference](https://surrealdb.com/docs/surrealdb/cli/start)

Forge also includes helper scripts under `arma/server/surrealdb`:

```powershell
cd arma/server/surrealdb
.\UpdateMe.bat
.\RunMe.bat
```

On Linux or macOS:

```bash
cd arma/server/surrealdb
./setup.sh
./run.sh
```

Install SurrealDB with the official method for your platform:

```powershell
# Windows
iwr https://windows.surrealdb.com -useb | iex
```

```bash
# macOS
brew install surrealdb/tap/surreal
```

```bash
# Linux
curl -sSf https://install.surrealdb.com | sh
```

For Forge, start a persistent local database instead of the default in-memory
mode:

```powershell
surreal start --user root --pass root --bind 127.0.0.1:8000 rocksdb://forge.db
```

`root`/`root` is only the local development default. For a public or shared
server, set a real password and keep `config.toml` aligned.

Then copy `arma/server/extension/config.example.toml` to `config.toml` next to
`forge_server_x64.dll` and keep the values aligned with the database you
started:

```toml
[surreal]
endpoint = "127.0.0.1:8000"
namespace = "forge"
database = "main"
username = "root"
password = "root"
connect_timeout_ms = 5000
```

Before starting the game server, confirm SurrealDB is still running. After
launching the Arma server:

1. Let the extension connect and apply the Forge schema modules.
2. Verify the connection state:

```sqf
"forge_server" callExtension ["status", []];
"forge_server" callExtension ["surreal:status", []];
```

If you change the endpoint, namespace, database, username, or password in
SurrealDB, change the same values in Forge's `config.toml`.

### Mission Designer or Community Manager/Leader

Use this path if you mostly need to inspect, query, or adjust data for a test
or live server and you are not changing Forge source code.

Official SurrealDB resources:

- [Surrealist installation](https://surrealdb.com/docs/surrealist/installation)
- [Surrealist web app](https://app.surrealdb.com)
- [Surrealist local database serving](https://surrealdb.com/docs/surrealist/concepts/local-database-serving)

Recommended approach:

1. Install **Surrealist Desktop**. It is the better fit for Forge because the
   official docs note that the web app can be limited when connecting to
   `localhost` or non-HTTPS endpoints.
2. Connect Surrealist to the same database Forge uses.
3. Use the values from the server's `config.toml`:

```text
Endpoint:   http://127.0.0.1:8000
Namespace:  forge
Database:   main
Username:   root
Password:   root
```

If you need your own local sandbox instead of connecting to an existing Forge
server, install SurrealDB first and follow the developer/server-operator path
above. Surrealist Desktop can also launch a local database for you after the
`surreal` executable is installed and available on your `PATH`.
